Lucas 3

Lucas 3

Morgan observes, “The force of the preposition (upon, Greek epi) is that of pressure from above. The word of the Lord came UPON him, pressed down UPON him from above! Here is the qualification for preaching. The message of God comes UPON a man.” Related Resource: 8 part discussion on John the Baptist in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (borrow a copy - go to page 383 for article). Steven Cole agrees "with G Campbell Morgan and other commentators that a man needs a special call from God to preach His Word. It need not be mystical or miraculous, but he needs a strong inner sense that God has called him to the work. Otherwise, when tough times of discouragement or opposition come, as they surely will if a man preaches the truth, he will not stay in the battle. A man who preaches God’s Word must always remember that it is not his own word or ideas that he proclaims, but God’s Word. Sometimes, as we will see in a moment, God’s Word is not warm, fuzzy and popular. If a preacher becomes a man-pleaser, he ceases to please God (Gal. 1:10+, cf Mt 6:24+). Instead of proclaiming God’s Word, he becomes a politician trying to keep his popularity ratings high. During the Gulf War, a man wrote to his senator urging him to support the ejection of Iraq from Kuwait. He received two separate replies from the senator’s office. The first letter agreed with him and stated the senator’s strong support for President Bush’s response to the crisis. The second letter, sent by mistake, thanked the man for opposing the war and pointed out that the senator had voted against the war resolution! That senator was like another politician who was asked where he stood on an issue. He said, “I have friends who are for it and friends who are against it, and I am with my friends.” In bad times we desperately need an authoritative word from God, proclaimed by His faithful messenger. (Sermon) THOUGHT - So God spoke and John obediently responded. How many of us, when God speaks, counter with questions and with whys? O, to have a Spirit filled and enabled response like John, to hear and to heed when God speaks! In Jesus' Name. Amen Henry Morris on the Word (rhema) of God came to John - This call to John the Baptist came about sixteen to eighteen years after the events associated with the previous verses (referring to the events in Luke 2 which ended with the boy Jesus "increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Lk 2:52+). Tiberius had succeeded Augustus as emperor (Luke 3:1) and continued in power through all the rest of the events described in the four gospels. To show that John's ministry was in fulfillment of prophecy, Luke quotes (in Luke 3:4-5+) more of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-4) than any of the other three writers, though all refer to it. John was obviously a preacher with great courage (Luke 3:7-14+), no matter who was present. Regarding the Word (rhema) of God came remember that it has been many years without a Word from God, the last word being Malachi about 460 B. C. As Steven